Brazil vs. Serbia 2018 World Cup live updates

Thiago Silva of Brazil celebrates after scoring his aspect’s second aim through the World Cup Group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Brazil 2, Serbia Zero

Group E, Spartak Stadium, Moscow

Brazil is in. Serbia is out. Frankly, from kickoff at Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday, that was clear. Brazil, behind a dominant effort, defeated Serbia, 2-Zero, and gained the World Cup’s Group E.

La Seleção may have superior with a win or draw after defeating Costa Rica and drawing with Switzerland. Serbia wanted a victory and assist from Switzerland to advance. It didn’t get both consequence, and even within the moments it seemed as if Serbia was making progress, Brazil was there to remind the Europeans why La Seleção has gained 5 World Cup titles already.

It spent the sport’s first 30 minutes and alter taking part in relaxed possession soccer that made it look as if Serbia’s again line may hold with Brazil’s all-world midfield and attackers. But Philippe Coutinho flipped a move over Serbia’s again line within the 36th minute that Paulinho flicked over the top of the Serbian keeper into the web. The Serbian aspect seemed shocked. The Brazilian aspect carried on with enterprise as traditional.

In the 68th minute, Brazil gained a nook and Neymar’s cross discovered Thiago Silva extensive open on the high of the six-yard field, who nodded the shot into the web.

La Seleção spent the seven minutes prior warding off a Serbian assault. But within the 68th minute, Brazil gained a nook and Neymar’s cross discovered Thiago Silva extensive open on the high of the six-yard field, who nodded the shot into the web. Brazil have to be feeling mighty comfy with this lead about it’s probabilities to advance to the knockout spherical.

Thiago Silva of Brazil beats Nikola Milenkovic of Serbia to the ball to attain his aspect’s second aim through the World Cup Group E in opposition to Serbia. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Mitrovic will get one other probability

He rose up over Fagner for a header within the 65th minute and put his head to the cross, however Alisson Becker, the Brazilian keeper, was there to smother the prospect.

Mitrovic can’t equalize

Aleksandar Mitrović had a waist-high ball to move into an open web within the 61st minute off a savvy cross from teammate Antonio Rukavina. But Mitrović despatched the header proper into the ft of Thiago Silva, who fended it off.

Aleksandar Mitrovic of Serbia heads in opposition to Thiago Silva of Brazil as goalkeeper Alisson seems to be on. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Neymar denied on the breakaway

Brazil received off on the counterattack within the 57th minute and Coutinho performed a ball throughout and round Serbia’s again line to seek out Neymar operating in area. The winger received into the field, however Serbia’s protection compelled him extensive and keeper Vladimir Stojković blocked his shot extensive and out of bounds.

Yellow card to Serbia’s Matic

In the 49th minute.

Halftime replace: Brazil 1, Serbia Zero

This was a half of final Brazilian soccer, the affected person, inventive play that may deceive opponents into a way of confidence, then in a flash take all of it away. Serbia spent greater than a half-hour seemingly neck-and-neck with La Seleção, till Brazil flashed its superior fundamentals and scored a aim that had been brewing. They took that 1-Zero lead into halftime.

A win or draw for Brazil will put it by way of to the World Cup’s knockout stage. Serbia should win to advance. But that appears unlikely if Brazil is ready to possess the ball because it did within the first half, and convert passes by way of and over the Serbian protection.

Philippe Coutinho flipped a move over Serbia’s again line within the 36th minute that Paulinho flicked over the top of the Serbian keeper into the web. The Serbian aspect seemed shocked. Brazil celebrated the rating, however carried on with enterprise as traditional. Just one other half of Brazilian soccer.

Goal Brazil!

Brazil can get on the scoreboard similar to that. After greater than a half-hour of possession soccer that lulled Serbia to sleep, La Seleção can strike in a rush. Philippe Coutinho flipped a move over high of the Serbian again line and onto the ft of Paulinho, who flicked a shot over the Serbian keeper and into the web.

Yellow card to Serbia’s Liajic

In the 33rd minute.

Brazil substitution: Felipe Luis for Marcelo

In the 10th minute.

Starting lineups introduced

Pregame ideas

Brazil is a transparent favourite not solely to win Group E, however the complete match with worldwide stars at almost each place.

But its brightest star, Neymar, will not be on the high of his sport after sitting out three months with a foot harm — and the critics have seen. Pressure appears to be mounting on the 26-year-old, who wept after his crew’s late win over Costa Rica, though he later ascribed the tears to “joy” on his Instagram account.

“He is a gifted player, but is outside his normal standards – or he wouldn’t be playing like this,” stated Brazil supervisor Tite, according to the BBC. “He is only in the recovery stage.”

Serbia is gifted, however not loaded like Brazil, and it possible wants a win to advance. A draw may get the Serbs by way of to the knockout spherical, however they’d want some assist as properly.

What’s at stake: Brazil, tied with Switzerland atop the group with 4 factors, can safe a spot within the knockout spherical with a win or a draw. A loss to Serbia, and a victory by Switzerland over Costa Rica within the different group match, would ship them residence.

Notable: Danilo (thigh) will not be anticipated to play; Fagner will exchange him. Douglas Costa (hamstring) is out as properly.

FIFA world rating: 2. ELO world rating 1.

Serbia

Previous outcomes: Beat Costa Rica, 1-Zero. Lost to Switzerland, 2-1.

What’s at stake: A win by Serbia would permit them to advance to the knockout stage. A draw may do the identical, however they’d want Costa Rica to beat Switzerland by a couple of aim.

Notable: If Serbia had been to advance, it might be the primary time doing in order an impartial nation.

FIFA world rating: 34. ELO world rating: 21.

Players to observe

Brazil striker Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) is racing in opposition to time to recuperate from a foot harm. When he’s on the high of his sport, his nearly balletic type makes him maybe the highest attacker on the planet. Midfielder Nemanja Matic (Manchester United) has 18 targets in 26 video games for Serbia this 12 months. He can rating from distance and is adept controlling the tempo of the sport.